Craig Perks leads Colonial

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 20 (UPI) -- Craig Perks, who has virtually disappeared since winning the Players Championship two years ago, led Thursday after one round of the Colonial.

Perks used some tips from Butch Harmon and a hot short game to shoot a 6-under 66.

His only title in a five-year career came at the 2002 Players Championship. He became the first golfer to earn his first career victory in his debut at that event.

But Perks missed 11 of 28 cuts that season. He decided to overhaul his swing, something he would come to regret.

"There were only nine guys that hit it worse than I do," said Perks, who ended the day a stroke better than Jesper Parnevik. "I knew I needed to do something."

Perks finished 146th on the money list last year, missing the cut in 16 of his 28 starts.

Tim Petrovic, Steve Flesch, Stewart Cink, Jeff Maggert and John Senden were tied for third at 66. Defending champion Kenny Perry shot a 67.